International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 16 (2), pp. 001-002, February, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Selenium Concentrations in Schizophrenia Patients

Simmi Kharb¹*, Anjali Sharma¹, A. K. Vohra², Sanjiv Yadav³ and Ishwar Singh³

¹Department of Biochemistry, Pt.BDS PGIMS, M.D. University, Rohtak, India.
²Department of Psychiatry, Pt.BDS PGIMS, M.D. University, Rohtak, India.
³Department of Chemistry, Pt.BDS PGIMS, M.D. University, Rohtak, India.

Accepted 2 August, 2024

Abstract

The present study was conducted with serum of twenty four patients of schizophrenia and twenty healthy volunteers; and selenium (Se) levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Serum Se levels were significantly increased in schizophrenia patients as compared to healthy controls. Soil content of Se in Rohtak was found to be lower as compared to Haryana state soil Se levels. These findings suggest that low Se levels in schizophrenia patients and soil may have a role in pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

Key words: Selenium, schizophrenia, geographical distribution.
 

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 16 (12), pp. 001-004, February, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Socio-Demographic Profiles of Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis at a Primary Health Centre in Zaria, Nigeria

Ogboi S. J.¹*, Idris S. H.¹, Olayinka A. T.² and Ilyas Junaid¹

¹Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
²Department of Medical Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Accepted 22 of September, 2024

Abstract

Tuberculosis is one of the killer diseases of great antiquity especially in developing countries and so contributes significantly to health instability and economic loss. The directly observed treatment (DOT) course is the recommended standard of care in treatment of tuberculosis worldwide and its key elements lie in making the diagnosis. The study was aimed at examining the socio-demographic characteristics of patients presenting at a primary health care centre in Zaria, North- Western Nigeria. The records of all suspected cases of tuberculosis seen at Sabon-Gari Comprehensive Health Centre Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria between May, 2005 - 2006 were scrutinized and reviewed. The main variables studied were age, education, occupational and educational status. A total of 694 case records were reviewed comprising of 58.4% of males and 41.6% females with a mean age of 32.78 years ± 15.10. The proportion of sputum smear positive samples was 12% with high pronderance of smear positive cases in the age group 20 - 29 years. There was statistically significant association between sex (x2 =52 df = 1 p < 0.05) educational status (x2 = 10.24 df = 4 p < 0.05) occupational status (x2 = 19.2 df = 5 p < 0.05) and the very likely chance of detecting AFB in sputum. The study revealed that most of the patient presenting with tuberculosis are in the productive age with unemployment and low literacy level serving as potent risk factors for tuberculosis in the study area. There was a positive relationship between sputum positive, unemployment, education and occupational status (socio-demographic characteristics). There is the need for National tuberculosis and leprosy control programme (NTLCP) to take cognizance of socio-demographic factors in designing an efficient TB control programme in Nigeria.

Key words: Tuberculosis, socio-demographic characteristics, age, occupation, educational status.
 

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 16 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The Impact of Thalidomide on Complement Activation by Mycobacterium leprae: An In Vitro Study

E. J. Shannon*, F. G. Sandoval and M. J. Morales

US Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, National Hansen’s Disease Programs, Laboratory Research Branch, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.

Accepted 5 September, 2024

Abstract

One inflammatory event that may be involved in erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is the activation of complement, and thalidomide could suppress ENL by inhibiting its activation. To determine if thalidomide inhibits the activation of complement, we first incubated normal serum with Mycobacterium leprae or with zymosan in the presence of thalidomide. Residual functional complement was then determined by defining the dilution of the serum required to lyses 50% of the rabbit antibody sensitized sheep cells (CH50 Assay). Zymosan and M. leprae activated complement. The CH50 values in the serum incubated with M. leprae or with zymosan were equivalent to the CH50 values in the serum incubated with M. leprae or zymosan in the presence of thalidomide. Thalidomide did not disrupt the activation of complement by zymosan, a know initiator of complement activation by the alternative pathway, or by M. leprae.

Key words: ENL, thalidomide, complement.
 

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 16 (1), pp. 001-004, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Prevalence of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency Among Blood Donors and Jaundiced Newborns in Osogbo, Nigeria

E.    O. Akanni¹*, B. S. A. Oseni1, V. O. Agbona¹, B. A. Tijani², E. Tosan³, E. E. Fakunle⁴ and V. O. Mabayoje⁴

¹Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P. M. B
4400, (OS 230001), Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.
²Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital,
P. M. B. 5000, (OS 230001) Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.
³Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, 8 Harvey Road, Yaba, Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria.
⁴Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology College of Health Sciences, P. M. B. 4400, (OS 230001) Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.

Accepted 11 November, 2024

Abstract

A study on the prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in blood donors and in jaundiced neonates was carried out. 286 subjects consisting of 200 blood donors and 86 jaundiced neonates were screened for G6PD. Presence of G6PD and bilirubin levels (total and conjugated) were determined in all the subjects. G6PD was determined using two standard methods; methaemoglobin reduction test and fluorescent spots test. Total and conjugated bilirubin levels were also determined in neonates using Jendrassik and Groff method. Out of the 200 blood donors tested for G6PD, 39 (19.5%) were G6PD deficient and 41 (47.7%) out of 86 jaundiced neonates were G6PD deficient. There is a close association between the two methods used for determining G6PD in blood donors and jaundiced neonates as there was no significance difference “P < 0.05” between the results obtained from the two methods. With G6PD deficiency prevalence rate of 19.5% (39) in the blood donors, and the attendant reduced life span of red blood cells, this study therefore reveals the necessity of including G6PD testing in the blood donors screening criteria in the study area. Glucose-6-phosphate deficiency is also revealed as a major cause of haemolytic episode in neonates in the area.

Key words: G6PD deficiency, prevalence, jaundiced neonates, blood donors.
 

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 15 (2), pp. 001-006, February, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Best Practices for NT-proBNP Reference Values: Findings from the CLEAN Assessment

Larry H. Bernstein¹*, Michael Y. Zions^1,4, Mohammed E. Alam^1,5, Salman A. Haq¹, John F. Heitner¹, Stuart Zarich², Bette Seamonds³ and Stanley Berger³

¹New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, New York, USA.
²Bridgeport Hospital, Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA.
³Mercy Catholic Medical Center, Darby, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
⁴Touro College, Brooklyn, New York, USA.
⁵Medgar Evers College, Brooklyn, New York, USA.

Accepted 8 September, 2023

Abstract

The natriuretic peptides, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and NT-proBNP that have emerged as tools for diagnosing congestive heart failure (CHF) are affected by age and renal insufficiency (RI). NT-proBNP is used in rejecting CHF and as a marker of risk for patients with acute coronary syndromes. This observational study was undertaken to evaluate the reference value for interpreting NT-proBNP concentrations. The hypothesis is that increasing concentrations of NT-proBNP are associated with the effects of multiple co-morbidities, not merely CHF, resulting in altered volume status or myocardial filling pressures. NT-proBNP was measured in a population with normal trans-thoracic echocardiograms (TTE) and free of anemia or renal impairment. Study participants were seen in acute care for symptoms of shortness of breath suspicious for CHF requiring evaluation with cardiac NT-proBNP assay. The median NT-proBNP for patients under 50 years is 60.5 pg/ml with an upper limit of 462 pg/ml, and for patients over 50 years the median was 272.8 pg/ml with an upper limit of 998.2 pg/ml. We suggest that NT-proBNP levels can be more accurately interpreted only after removal of the major co-morbidities that affect an increase in this peptide in serum. The PRIDE study guidelines should be applied until presence or absence of comorbidities is diagnosed. With no comorbidities, the reference range for normal over 50 years of age remains steady at ~1000 pg/ml. The effect shown in previous papers likely is due to increasing concurrent comorbidity with age.

Key words: Congestive heart failure, natriuretic peptides, anemia, chronic renal insufficiency.
 

International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 15 (2), pp. 001-004, February, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Examining Hypofibronectinemia in Leprosy Patients

Ogbu ISI* and Ogalagu RO

Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Accepted 03 October, 2023

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the levels of plasma fibronectin in leprosy patients of Nigerian origin. Seventy leprosy patients, 42 men and 28 women, aged 20 to 70 years, of Mile 4 Hospital Abakalilki in Ebonyi State of Nigeria and seventy age and sex-matched apparently normal subjects were used. Some (44) of the patients were on multiple drug therapy with dapsone, rifampicin, and clofazimine as the mainline drugs. The remaining 26 patients had stable treated leprosy but were living in the colony, (on-colony). Study protocol was approved by the Ethic Committee of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu and informed consent was obtained from all subjects before collection of data and samples was made. Plasma fibronectin was assayed by an ELISA method. The leprosy patients had mean plasma fibronectin levels of 70.51 ± 17.83 µg/ml, men 85.39 ± 18.0 µg/ml, women 63.19 ± 3.63 µg/ml compared with the mean control value of 286.2 ± 130 µg/ml, men 395.5 ± 114.5 µg/ml, women 208.9 ± 71.69 µg/ml (p < 0.001). Peak control values were observed in the fifth decade of life, 40 to 49 years, and declined steadily thereafter. The peak values for the patients were observed in third decade of life, 20 to 29 years, and declined steadily with advancing age. Patients on drugs had lower fibronectin values, 71.32 ± 13.83 µg/ml, than those living on colony, 85.30 ± 20.50 µg/ml (p < 0.05). There is marked hypofibronectinaemia in leprosy patients that may be due to several possible causes. More work is needed to elucidate the exact cause(s) of hypofibronectinaemia in leprosy.

Key words: Leprosy, hypofibronectinaemia, plasma fibronectin, adhesion protein, Nigerian lepers.